Chapter 22: The Unconventional Audience

“Gudou Juetian?”

Inside the luxurious private room, a peerless beauty, one shoulder bared, tilted her head.

Her pinkish-white rabbit ears, perched atop her head, drooped in unison.

“Lady Tulan, her name is likely a fabrication, but judging by Manager Wang’s deference towards her, the sword art that elevated Gudou Toutian’s power was indeed her gift.”

The Aunt meticulously explained.

“As you know, I harbor no fondness for the Gudou clan; I will not be meeting her. Simply conjure any excuse to dismiss her.”

Tulan idly toyed with her slender, jade-like fingers.

Gudou Toutian’s breakthrough today was already vexing enough; now, she was expected to sing for the very source of this annoyance.

The very thought was preposterous.

“This… Lady Tulan, she is, after all, a distinguished guest. To simply turn her away would surely harm our establishment’s reputation and business.”

“I am aware of your amiable relations with the Enchanted Clan, but in these times, even with Yao Yueli’s return, the Enchanted Clan cannot hope to reclaim its former glory.”

“Why jeopardize your own future for her sake?”

The Aunt earnestly implored her.

“Grant me leave to go out once, and I shall accept this commission.”

Tulan’s voice, imbued with an air of authority, cut through the air. Although she was highly sought after here,

she felt like a caged bird, devoid of freedom.

“This…”

The Aunt hesitated, fraught with apprehension, knowing full well that Tulan’s excursion would undoubtedly lead her to Yao Yueli.

Should the Radiant Moon Royal Family discover this, the consequences would be dire.

Indeed, who among those who once maintained close ties with the Enchanted Clan lived a comfortable life now?

“Alas, let her go.”

Suddenly, a sigh drifted down from above.

Upon hearing this, the Aunt swiftly responded with profound reverence towards the voice above:

“Yes, Palace Master.”

“Lady Tulan, will this suffice?”

“Please convey my gratitude to the Palace Master.”

Tulan, having styled her hair, cradled a zither and prepared to float down along a vibrant silken rope.

“Lady Tulan, that person specifically requested you take on the appearance of a young loli.”

The Aunt, recalling Ahoge Dragon’s exact request, promptly reminded her.

“A loli, you say? I understand.”

As she spoke, her mature, voluptuous figure began to shrink, ultimately transforming into that of a small girl, barely a meter and three centimeters tall.

Her clothes were slightly oversized, but this presented no issue; by tightening the sashes, the garments secured themselves to her body.

These voluminous clothes, draped over such a diminutive frame, evoked a sense of a celestial being gracefully descending.

Floating down from the silken rope, she resembled a goddess stepping forth from an ancient flying apsara mural.

Accompanying her descent were two other maidens, their appearances similarly youthful.

They, too, drifted amidst colorful clouds, beautiful as immortal beings from a painting.

Following the silken rope, they arrived at Ahoge Dragon’s location, having anticipated that their graceful dance would captivate those inside, leaving them utterly spellbound and entranced.

However…

“Ahhhhhh! This feels so good! Ahhhh! A little harder there! Ow ow ow… Hiss hiss hiss… So satisfying… So satisfying…”

“Meow meow~~ What is this feeling? So… so comfortable… Woo meow~~ Woo meow~~”

Ahoge Dragon and Mao Yuxia lay sprawled on the sofa, as several older sisters massaged their ‘little JOJO’.

Their cries of pleasure were so infectious that anyone hearing them would easily be drawn in.

“This…”

Tulan was utterly bewildered. Whenever she sang for others, hadn’t they always waited for her in quiet reverence?

What in the world was going on here?!

With all this shouting, how was she supposed to sing?

‘These two guests truly lack decorum.’

“Third Young Miss, Fourth Young Miss. Lady Tulan has arrived.”

An older sister reminded Ahoge Dragon and Mao Yuxia that it was time for the performance.

“Hoh hoh~~ Little Tulan is here~~”

Ahoge Dragon sat up from the sofa, her gaze falling upon the vast windowsill opposite the floor-to-ceiling window, where a charming loli sat, gracefully strumming a zither.

Due to the oversized clothing, Tulan’s soft, pale shoulders were revealed.

Her perfectly round face, adorned with a light blush, resembled a delicate porcelain doll.

Most notably, her pair of rabbit ears: one stood erect, while the other was charmingly folded.

She appeared both adorable and lively.

“Wow~~ So cute.”

Ahoge Dragon wiped the drool from the corner of her mouth, then dabbed her nose.

‘I really want to go over and hug her!’

“I have heard that the Third Young Miss possesses unparalleled wisdom and innate brilliance. It is my utmost fortune to know that the Third Young Miss enjoys this humble maiden’s singing.”

The clear loli voice spoke with mature words, a contrast that, while unusual, was undeniably endearing.

‘Wouldn’t it be incredibly satisfying to be cursed at by such a voice?’

“Hahaha… Sister Tulan, you flatter me! Heheheh…”

After receiving the compliment, Ahoge Dragon felt utterly buoyant.

“This humble maiden shall now present a song, hoping it pleases the Third Young Miss.”

“I love it, I love it! Of course I do… I can hardly wait!”

Ahoge Dragon leaned closer to Mao Yuxia, wrapping an arm around her shoulder, and whispered:

“Meowmeow, why didn’t you introduce such a cute girl to me before?”

“Huh? I didn’t know you liked listening to songs, and besides, we didn’t have the money to spend here before.”

“Heheheh… Now that we have money, I’ll come every day from now on. Ehheheheh, if only I could take her home…”

Ahoge Dragon made no attempt to conceal her desires.

“You can’t do that! Stop talking, Sister Tulan is about to begin. Let’s listen quietly.”

“Huh? Tulan is so small, why do you call her sister too? She’s my sister, and your younger sister, Meowmeow, don’t get it wrong.”

“Ah? Don’t you know? Tulan can freely…”

♩~♪~♫~♬~~§~~~

Mao Yuxia was still attempting to explain to Ahoge Dragon when, at that moment, the sound of instruments being played began.

It abruptly cut off her words.

Ahoge Dragon, too, became utterly immersed in the music, swaying her body in rhythm.

[Mandarin ducks perch and butterflies flutter in pairs~~ The garden’s myriad hues entrance the soul~~]

As the melodious singing began, Ahoge Dragon’s thoughts became entwined with the mournful song.

For a long time, she found herself unable to distinguish between reality and illusion.

Even after the song concluded, Ahoge Dragon continued to wander through the lingering echoes of the distant melody.

“So beautiful~~”

Mao Yuxia wiped her eyes, deeply moved by the feeling of mutual affection that could never truly unite.

It was a sentiment capable of stirring tears from anyone.

“Another one!”

Ahoge Dragon shook her head, utterly overwhelmed by the powerful performance.

Tulan then presented another song.

Each song seemed to transport its listeners into a realm of profound artistic conception.

They experienced the world within the song, tasted its joys and sorrows, and felt its deep emotions.

Finally, Ahoge Dragon could no longer restrain herself; she leapt up and grabbed a banana from the table, using it as a microphone.

“Heheheh! I can sing too, you know!”

“Huh? Little Ahoge, don’t mess around!”

Mao Yuxia attempted to stop Ahoge Dragon. Wasn’t listening to Tulan’s enchanting voice enough?

What could this mischievous Ahoge possibly sing?

But Ahoge Dragon had already darted to the other side. No matter how Mao Yuxia pursued her, she simply continued to circle.

Clutching the banana, she had already launched into her rapturous, song-like performance!

“Ahhhh! Ugly monster, yi ya yi ya roar~~♪”

♪~♫~~♬~~

“And two little kids are following beside~~♪”

♪~♫~~♬~~

“Too beautiful to send away~~

♪~♫~~♬~~

“You’re getting married~~♪~♫~~ But I’m not the bride~~”

“You love me~~ I love you~~

…

“What in the world is this?”

Tulan gently touched the zither strings. Weren’t they supposed to be listening to her sing?

How did this little one start singing… or rather, shouting… on her own?

‘Truly, she has no manners. As expected, anyone associated with the Gudou clan is nothing but trouble.’